Week 10 NFL Power Rankings Recap: Cardinals lose ground in bye week

By Vince Marotta | November 9, 2016 at 8:12 amUPDATED: November 9, 2016 at 11:30 am

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) controls a pass and makes his turn against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Apparently the Arizona Cardinals didn’t have a good bye week?

Despite not playing a game and being part of a giant, gelatinous glob of NFL mediocrity, Bruce Arians’ team lost ground — in some cases, a substantial amount — in this week’s national NFL Power Rankings.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports and Chris Simms of Bleacher Report each dropped the Cardinals five spots in their Week 10 rankings. Prisco also dropped idle Cincinnati five spots while elevating the Texans, who had a Week 9 bye, four spots.

Hmm…

Here’s a rundown of what some prominent national outlets (and ArizonaSports.com) are saying about the Cardinals:

Before their Week 9 bye, the Cardinals got an opportunity in Carolina to see why they stink. Something they’ve been able to do twice in a calendar year! #samesies

Arizona does not enjoy a cupcake schedule going forward. Sure, the Cards get the 49ers at home this week, but then it’s on the road to Minnesota and Atlanta. Also, Bruce Arians’ Kangol will find itself in Seattle and Los Angeles (a team Arizona already lost to) to close out the season. At the very least, the Cardinals need to beat San Francisco and split against the Vikings and Falcons to stay in both the division and wild-card races.

The way the Cardinals play in East Coast games, you’d think they had been dropped on the moon. It’s still the same game, guys. You’re still in America. Whatever the issue, Bruce Arians better figure it out in a hurry—the Cardinals still travel to Atlanta and Miami this season, with a Central Time Zone road trip to Minnesota to boot.

Carson Palmer and Co. now face a schedule packed with must-win games. Arizona has no room for error off the bye. It’ll take on the 49ers in Week 10 before back-to-back road games in Minnesota (still a tough one) and Atlanta (yikes!). David Johnson’s legs better be well-rested.

J.J. Nelson is being given a shot to start at receiver. He has 163 yards and two touchdowns his last two games, and could provide some of the big plays that have been sorely lacking in the offense all season.